Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), formerly known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), helps manage menopausal symptoms when they interfere with your life. Menopausal symptoms are caused by lowering levels of oestrogen hormones. MHT is the medical replacement of female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, and sometimes testosterone.
Types of MHT
Oestrogen and progesterone therapy
Oestrogen is the main hormone prescribed to relieve menopausal symptoms. If you’ve had a hysterectomy, this may be all you need.
If you haven’t had a hysterectomy, oestrogen and progesterone are used together, as progesterone reduces the risk of endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus).
Other combinations of oestrogen and progestogen (including progesterone and other progesterone-like hormones) may also be recommended.
What are the benefits of MHT?
MHT can relieve common symptoms of menopause, such as:
- hot flushes
- vaginal dryness
- sleep disturbance with night sweats
- joint pain
- itchy skin.
MHT can reduce the risk of:
- osteoporosis
- heart disease
- bone fracture
- endometrial cancer
- colon cancer
- type 2 diabetes
- cataracts.
MHT can also improve:
- skin and hair health
- headaches
- aches and pains
- irritability
- sleeplessness
- sex drive
- balance
- dizziness and vertigo.